Comparison

Wake vs Row Downstream

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Wake

Features
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Wake is a rowing tracker built by a rower — GPS splits on the water, connected erg capture indoors, and an honest report card after every outing. No account needed. Open the app, tap Start, and row. ON THE WATER • Live split (/500m) and stroke rate side by side, in numbers you can read mid-stroke • The screen stays awake for the whole row — no fumbling with a locked phone • Double-tap to stop, so a splashy swipe can't end your piece • Your full route recorded second by second AFTER THE ROW • A report card for every outing: route map, pace, stroke rate, and rhythm across the whole row • Pieces detected automatically — splits for each effort, not just the total • Scrub anywhere in the row and watch your boat move along the map • Every outing kept in your training library — rename, revisit, compare ON THE ERG • Connects to your rowing machine's monitor over Bluetooth • Live watts, split, stroke rate, heart rate, and drag factor • Per-stroke drive length and stroke distance • Force curves: see the shape of every drive, and whether it holds up when the rate goes up • Works with the Concept2 PM5 and Bluetooth (FTMS) rowing machines. Drag factor, drive length, stroke distance, and force curves need a PM5. APPLE WATCH + HEALTH • Wear your Watch as a heart-rate sensor, and start or stop the row from your wrist • Workouts save to Apple Health CREWS AND COACHES • Share any report with your coach or crew as a single link • Rowed with a crewmate's phone in the boat? Claim the outing onto your own account • Coaches: watch every boat in your practice live on one map (Wake Coach, for programs) PRIVATE BY DEFAULT • Your rows are yours — nothing is shared unless you share it • Sign in with Apple or Google only when you want your training backed up across devices Whether you scull at dawn, pull 2ks in a basement, or coach a program of eights — Wake keeps every stroke. Questions or ideas? Find us at wakerowing.com. WAKE PRO (OPTIONAL SUBSCRIPTION) Recording, reviewing and sharing a row are free. Wake Pro unlocks deeper analysis of the training you have already recorded, as an auto-renewable subscription: Wake Pro Monthly (1 month) or Wake Pro Yearly (1 year). Prices are shown in the app before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends; manage or cancel in Settings > Subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://wakerowing.com/privacy Wake service terms: https://wakerowing.com/terms

About

Row Downstream

Features
Read full description

Downstream turns your Concept2 erg into a coached training system. Pick from a catalog of hundreds of workouts or build your own and save them to your library — filter by training zone or duration. Drop them onto your calendar and each day's session is waiting for you, ready to row. While you pull, Downstream drives the workout: live pace and stroke-rate targets, split-by-split feedback, intervals and rest, and a customizable live screen. Every workout is captured — splits, strokes, and heart rate — and lands in your log automatically. • Works with any Concept2 erg (RowErg, BikeErg, SkiErg) over Bluetooth • Verified sync to your official Concept2 Logbook • Heart rate from a chest strap or your Apple Watch — free • Import your on-water rows, bike, and run activities from Strava • Start a Spotify playlist automatically when you begin a piece • Share-ready workout summary cards No ads.

Screenshots

Wake4 screens
Row Downstream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Row Downstream at none against Wake's 2. Row Downstream also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Wake sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Row Downstream asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wake ships an update every 9 days, Row Downstream every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 3 level
Wake versus Row Downstream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWakeRow Downstream
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB29 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperFirm Air LLCRow Downstream LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Wake

Subscriptions2
  • Wake Pro Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Wake Pro Yearly1 Month trial$49.991 Year
None

Row Downstream

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Wake free?
Wake is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Row Downstream free?
Row Downstream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Wake or Row Downstream have ads?
Neither Wake nor Row Downstream shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Wake or Row Downstream?
Wake ships an update every 9 days, and Row Downstream every 6 days. Most recently, Wake was updated on October 28, 2026 and Row Downstream on October 24, 2026.

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